Automatic piano-player.



No. 792,055. PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. LARSON.

AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED JUNE 13, 1905.

A. P. LARSON.

AUTOMATIC -PIANO PLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1904,

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 792,055. PATENTBD JUNE 13, 1905.

A. F. LARSON. Y l

AUTOMATIC PIANO PLAYER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 2s. 1904.

4 sums-SHEET a.

Nox 792,055. PATENTED JUNE 18, 1905. A. F. LARSOJN. AUTOMATIC PIANOPLAYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2B, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Wfl-125525:

UNITED STATES Fatented June 13, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

AXEL F. LARSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO C. F.LARSON, OF CRYSTAL FALLS, MICHIGAN, AND OSCAR K. OSTER- GREN, OFCHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC PIANO-PLAYER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 792,055, dated June 13,1905.

Application filed May 23, 1904. Serial No, 210,235.

To n/Z 71171/0117, it mln/y concern.-

Be it known that I, AXEL F. LARsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in AutomaticPiano-Players, (Case No. 5,) of which the following is a full, clear,concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic pianoplayers, and relates moreparticularly to improvements in devices of this character by means ofwhich the parts are made readily accessible for adjustment and repairand by means of which the construction of the instruments may besimplilied and reduced in cost.

Various improvements will hereinafter be more fully pointed out byreference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig'ure 1 illustratesin front elevation a piano-player constructed in accordance with myinvention. Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken-on lines 2 2of Fig. l and Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3 3of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 2,parts being' broken away to more clearly illustrate the interiorconstruction. Fig. 5 is a crosssectional view illustrating theconstruction of an expression-bellows, the purpose of which will morefully appear. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a regulating-bellowsemployed to control the supply of power to the motor which drives themechanism, and Fig. 7 is a plan View of a primary-pneumatic block.

The foundation-board l1 is preferably a three-ply board, in which thechannels to be hereinafter explained may easily be formed. Below thisfoundation-board are mounted a pair of suction-bellows l2 l2, eachbellows being provided with an inlet-valve 13 and an outlet-valve 14,these valves consisting, essentially, of a series of openings throughthe top and bottom boards of the bellows, over which a strip of leatheror other suitable material is held by means of a thin sheet of springymetal, as shown in Fig. 2 and as described llapsed condition.

also in my copending application, Serial No. 175,107, filed September30, 1903. The torsional spring at l5 tends normally to maintain eachpower-bellows in a closed or col- The treadles 15 and I6 are connected,by means of the straps 17 and 18, to the bottom boards of thepower-bellows and when depressed serve to open the bellows, therebycreating a suction, which withdraws air from the main bellows 19 by wayof the inlet-valves 13. The subsequent collapse of the power-bellows l2causes the expulsion of air through the outlet-valves I4. A suitablespiral spring' is fastened at 2O to a block 2l, rigidly mounted upon thefoundation-board ll, the other end of this spring being fastened at 22to one lever-arm, 23, of a bell-crank lever 24, which is pivoted at 25by means of a bracket 26, rigidly secured to the foundation-board, andthe other lever-arm, 27, which supports the top board 28 of the mainbellows 19 by means of a small roller 29, fastened to a bracket 30,which is secured to the top board 28. Spring mechanism of this characteris provided at either side of the main bellows. It will be seen that asthe main bellows is collapsed and the top board 28 drawn downward towardthe foundation board l1 the roller 29 will bear upon the lever-arm 27,causing its depression and the lever to swing about the pivot 25,thereby causing' the extension of the spring 3l. rI he depression of thetop board 28 of the main bellows is resisted not only by the increasing'tension of the spring 3l as it is extended in length, but also onaccount of the decrease in length of the lever-arm 27 between the pivotand the point of contact with the roller 29.

The operation of all of the mechanism of the automatic player is causedby suction, and the air which is used in the operation of the variousparts all passes through this main bellows I9. A pair of channels 32 32lead from the openings 33 33 at the treble side of the main bellows tothe treble-regulating chamber 3l by way of the openings 35 The hingedvalve 36 is provided with a leather face for the purpose of closing theopenings 35.

lIo

This valve is provided with a retracting-spring 37, passing to the topof the valve and the interior of the regulating-chamber, and tends tomaintain the valve in an open position. A similar pair of channels 38 38lead from the openings 39 39 in the main bellows through thefoundation-board to the openings 40 40, leading into the`bass-regulating chamber 41. These openings 40 40 are provided also witha hinged Valve 42,the retracting-spring 43, attached to the upper sideof the valve, tending to maintain the valve in an open condition.

Assuming that the valves 36 and 42 are open, it will be seen that thewithdrawal of air from the main bellows 19 vcreates a partial vacuumwithin the treble-regulating chamber 34 and the bass-regulating chamber41. provided, as will hereinafter more fully appear, for the purpose ofregulating and controlling the pressure within these chambers. Thepartition 44 serves to divide the chamber 34 from the chamber 41. aredivided one from the other, for the reason that the pressure in onechamber controls the strength with which the treble-keys are struck,while the other controls the strength with which the bass-keys arestruck, and means are provided by which either may bercontrolledindependently of the other.

The air-tight action-chambers 45 and 46 are divided by means of thepartition 47. The chamber 45 is connected with the treble-regulatingchamber 34 by way of a plurality of channels 48 48, and theaction-chamber 46 is connected with the bass-regulating chamber 41 byway of the channels 49 49. Through these channels the air is exhaustedfrom the action chambers through the regulatingchambers into the mainbellows.

At 50 I have shown a well-known form of tracker-board provided with aseries of fine openings 51, over which the note-sheet 52 is drawn bymeans of the roller 53, the note-l sheet being simultaneously unwoundfrom the spool 54. As is well understood by those skilled in the art,this note-sheet is provided with openings corresponding with the keys tobe struck, these openings registering with the channels 51 of thetracker-board. Each channel in the tracker-board is provided with a tube55 to afford connection with the associated primary pneumatic. One ofthe channels 51 in the tracker-board is shown in crosssection in Fig. 2,and the tube 55,leading from the lower end of this channel, connectswith a small brass tube 56, inserted at the front of theprimary-pneumatic rack 57. A channel 58 leads from this brass tube 56through the primary-pneumatic rack to a small brass tube 59, whichregisters with a small hole (60 of Fig. 7) which connects with theprimary-pneumatic chamber6l of the primary-pneumatic block 62. As bestillustrated in Fig. 4, a series of these primary-pneumatic blocks isattached to the primary pneumatic rack by means of the Means areVV Thesechambers g `screws 63 or other suitable connecting mernboard when theopening at the'. top of the tracker-.board is covered by thenote-sheet52. Thus there is created within the primary-pneumatic chamber61 a vacuum, or at least a partial vacuum, corresponding in pressurewith that in the action-chamber 45. The stem 66 of theaction-controlling valve 67 is screw-threaded into the nut 68, securedto the piston-like leather washer 69 ofthe primary pneumatic, thiswasher being more similar to a piston in action than in construction.The valve 67 is secured in position upon the screw-threaded stem 66 bymeans of small leather lock-nuts 70 71. The stem is guided in itslongitudinal movements by means of a slender cross-bar 72, which,however, does not entirely close the opening 73 at the upper side of thevalvechamber 74.v Theropening 75 in the lower side of the valve-chamber74 connects with the interior of the action-chamber 45. When in itsnormal position, the valve 67 serves to close this opening 75, and whenactuated by means of the leather washer 69 the valve-stem 66 forces thevalve 67 upward against the periphery of the opening 73 at the top ofthe chamber 74. This action may be eX plained as follows: When anopening in the note-sheet 52 registers with the opening at the top ofthe channel 51 in the tracker-board, air is admitted by way of the tube55 to the channel 58, and as the opening provided by means of theregulating-screw 65 in the channel 64 is comparatively small the aircannot be exhausted from the channel 58 to such an extent as to maintainthe pressure within the channel 58 of the same low degree as in thechamber 45. There being created in this manner a greater pressure onthelower side of the washer 69 of the primary pneumatic than on theupper side, the stem 66 is forced rapidly IOO IIO

IIS

upw-ard, carrying with it the valve 67, which produces an openingbetween vthe channel 76 and the chamber 45 by way of the port 75 andwhich causes almost simultaneously the closure of the opening betweenthe channel 76 and the outside atmosphere by way of the port 73 at theupper side of the valve-chamber 7 4. The channel 7 6 leads through thefront board 77 to the interior of an actionbellows 78, the lower board79 of this bellows carrying the striking -lever 80, this lever swingingupon the hinge81, which serves also as the hinge for the bellows itself,and being guided at one end by means of a staple-like guide 82, fastenedto the back board 77 and extending within a small slot (not shown) cutin the extremity 83 of the lever 80. 'lhe lever 8O when in its normalposition rests upon a thin felt cushion 84. A strikingnger is adjustablysecured to the rear end of the lever 80. 1t is these lingers 85 85,secured to the rearward ends of the levers 8O 80, which strike the keysof a piano or other instrument of like nature. The top boards of theactionbellows are secured to the mounting-boards 86 86, which extendfrom end to end of the piano-player.

The interior of the bellows 78 is connected normally with the atmosphereby way of the channel 76 and the port 73 in the top of the chamber 74.Vhen, however, the valve 67 is thrust suddenly upward, due to theregistration of an opening in the note-sheet with the associated channelin the tracker-board, this atmospheric connection is closed and the airis suddenly withdrawn from the actionbellows 78 by way of the channel76, the port 75, the action-chamber 45, the channels 48, theregulating-chamber 34, the channels 32, the main bellows 19, the valve13,- the power-bellows 1Q, and thence through the escape-valve 14 to theatmosphere. r1`he suction thus created within the bellows 78 causes asudden collapse thereof, whereupon the associated iinger 85 is caused tostrike the registering' key of the piano in front of which the player isplaced. Then the note-sheet again closes the opening' in thetracker-board, air is withdrawn from the channel 58 by way ot' the smallpassage-way 64, thus rapidly reducing the pressure in the chamber 61below the primary pneumatic 69. The valve 67 thereupon closes the port75 and opens the port 73, permitting the access of atmospheric pressureto the action-bellows 78, which is at once distended. The other primarypneumatics and the associated valves are mounted upon theprimarypneumatic rack and the boards which form the action-rack 86 inthe manner already described in connection with the mechanism shown inthe full lines in the cross-section otl Fig. 2.

lt will be seen that the arrangement of the valve mechanism employedatfords an exceedingly easy means of removal for replacement or repair,1n order to remove a primary pneumatic and its valve, it is butnecessary to remove the boards 87 and 88, one or both, from the back ofthe action-chamber and the space behind the action-valves, whereupon thetop plate 89 may be removed from the valvechamber 74, thus permitting'the stem 66 to be unscrewed from the button 68, which is glued to theleather washer 69. The valve and its stem may thus be removed throughthe top of the valve-chamber, while the screws 63, which retain theprimary-pneumatic block 62 in place, are withdrawn to permit the removalot' the block from its position in register with the brass tube 59.

It will be noted that each of the primary board 50.

pneumatics and its associated valve mechanism is a duplicate of each otthe others and that the primary-pneumatic blocks 62 are of identicalconstruction, whereby these blocks may be made interchangeable, anyblock litting in the place occupied by any other. The arrangement shownis economical of space and permits this compact arrangement withoutsacrificing easy access to all ot' the movable parts. The construction,furthermore, is of the utmost simplicity and provides a player ot' lowcost of manufacture. The construction of the device is preferably suchthat the back board 87, together with the boards 86, which constitutethe valve-rack, may be bodily removed from the rack 57, to which theprimary-pneumatic blocks are secured. The arrangement, furthermore,provides for air-tight chambers of exceedingly small capacity, wherebythese chambers may be constructed in a simple yet efficient manner andat very low cost.' Only a comparatively few screws are required toretain the cover 88 in place upon the actionchambers 45 and 46, and but'few screws are required to secure the valve-rack 86 and the back board77 in place above the rack for the primary pneumatics.

In Fig. 1 there is illustrated somewhat diagrammatically at 90 a motorwhich causes the movement of the note-sheet across the tracker- Thismotor may be of the construction shown in my copending application,Serial No. 165,349, liled July7, 1903. The motor is provided withgearing (not shown) by means of which the same motor running always inthe same direction may serve to rotate the roller 53 in the directionindicated by the arrow 91 when playing and also to cause the rotation ofthe roller 54 in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow 92 forrewinding the note-sheet upon the spool The motor 90 is operated bysuction, the air being withdrawn from the motor-bellows by means of thetube 93, leading' to the motor-regulating bellows 94. This tube may beled through the case 95 in any suitable position. The interior of themotor-regulating bellows 94 is connected, by means of the channel 96,with the main bellows 19, the channel being provided at one end with theopening 97, which opens into the main bellows 19, and at the other endwith two openings, the opening 98 leading' directly to the interior ofthe bellows 94 and the other opening' 99 being' covered by a hingedvalve 100, this valve being' provided with a leather face Vfor coveringthe opening' 99. The top board 101 ot' the bellows 94 is provided alsowith a valve-cover 102, this valve being` provided with a leather facefor covering the opening 98. The valve is provided with noretracting-spring and normally covers the opening 99. lVhen suction iscreated within theA main bellows 19, air is withdrawn from the bellows94 by way of the opening 98 and the channel 96. The suction thus createdIOO IOS

IIO

within the4 bellows 94; causes; the movement of thebacklooard `101againstthe enter the bellows, by way of the tube 93, leading from themotor, pressure within the bel-n v lows is .at once increased, therebypermitting thebellows 94. The result of thek construc-v `tion`is thatthe tension of the spring 103 can the retraction of thevalve 1 02,,togetherwith the topfboard 101, by means of. the spring I103. l

Thisagain opens thepassage to the channel 96, whereby air may be againwithdrawn from beregulated by means of the screw104, bearing upon theupset end 105 of the spring,A

whereby the pressure within the bellows 94is -regulated. 4to produce thedesired degree of suction upon) the motor-bellows.

The degree of suction yor pressure within` thetreble-pressure-regulating chamber 34 is or may be controlled by'anexpressio.r1-bellows 106. This bellows is illustrated in.crossfsectionin Fig. 5 and consists of a bottom board 107 secured to thefound`ition-board 11,- and through -which an opening 108leads byway of aIchannel 109 and an opening 110 to the main bellows 19. `Another opening.111, leads by i way of a channel 112 to an opening 113 in thefoundation-board 11 within the ,regulatingchamber 34. The opening atthis end is cov-, beingl ered by a hinged valve 114, thevalve l lprovided with a retracting-spring 115. The

withdrawal Aof air from the expression-bellows i 106 tothe main bellows19 causes the collapse of the bellows, thereby causing the top board 116ofthe bellows to move downwardagainst the tension of theretractingspring 117, cansing the leatherfaced valve 118 to, more orless completely cover the lopening 108 leadingbyl way of thefchanneltothe 'main bellows .19. The tension of the spring 117 may be adjustedby means of the screw 119, whereby the pressure within theexpression-bellows 106 mayY be regulated. By closing the valve 36whichcontrols the openingleading directly.v to the main bellows 19, theWithdrawalol from the treble-regulating chamber 34v may be ac-K ocomplished only through theopening 113, the l channel 112, and theexpression-bellows 106 and thence through the channelf109 to 13h@ mainbellows 19. The pressure within the" treble-regulating lchamber 34 isthereforeas great as that within the expressions-bellows 106, which ismaterially less than within the. main bellows 19-that is to say, thedegree of v suction exerted v upon the parts connected withthetreble-regulating chamber 34 is consider-` ably less when the passageof air must be acf,

complished by way of the expression-bellows 106 than -whenrit may beaccomplished di-` rectly through lthe channels 32, as previouslydescribed. l When, therefore, it is desired that V the treble part'ofthe scale'shall be played Eof a lever whose other arm 124 normallyrests.

Vportion of the scale. played more heavily, the operator depress'esthebutton120, `this buttongbeing connected by way of the, stem 122 to thecrank-arn1123 laboveia pin `125,projecting from the movable, end of ythethinged valve 36. The depressionofthis button-causes thelcrank-armf124to press upon the pin 125,l thereby 'maintainingY thevalve 36, in a closed conditionand preventingthe egress of air fromthetreble-regw.` lating chamber 34 to the main'bellows .19 by way of thechannels32., The withdrawal -ofi air fromthey treble: regulating chamber34 must be accom plished,-therefore,only by way ofz the.expression-bellows 106. lA similar ex-l pression-bellows 126 isprovided for the bass portion of. theaction. .Thisl bellows is con.-nected with the main bellows by way of a chan-` nel [127, connecting theopenings 128 and 129, respectively placed Within the expressionl bellows126 and the main bellows 1-9. Another f opening 130 connects withachannel 131,which leadsto an. opening 132 within the bass-regulatingchamber l31, the opening 132 being covered bya valve 133, provided witha retractf` ing-spring 134, v,When it is desired to decrease thestrength ofmovement of the action-bellowsy whichcontrolsthengersactuating the keys'in the bass portion of the scale, thebutton'134 is depressed, this button being connected by way of thestein135 with thecrank-arm 136 of the lever,whose shorter crank-arm 137 restsabove the pin 138projecting from the movable end'- of the-valve. 42.Adepression ofA this button closesj` the valve 42', in the manner whichwill be understood by those skilled, in the art, thereby preventing thepassage olair from the chamber41 to the main bellows-19-by wayofthechannels 38. and causing the passage.: of. airto .the main bellows 19only by way of the opening. 132 `the channel 131, the opening 1 30, theexpression-bellows 12.6, and the IOO channel 12,7leading to the. mainbellows.

The construction of the expression-bellows justment oftheretracting-spring associated withthe expression-bellows 126. Thespeed orrtempo with which the nQte-sheetis moved acrossthe topof thetracker-board `is controlled ,by meansofa lever 139which is connected,bymeans ofthe rod 140 and the lever` 141, with a throttle-valve in thesuction-pipe 93, leadingto the motor.

As is Well understood by those sliilled of this character to rewind thenote-sheet upon the spool 54 after having been passed over thetracker-board in playing the music for which the note-sheet is adapted.IVithin the case which contains the motor 90 there is clutch mechanismcontrolled by the lever 142. This lever is connected, by means of therod 143, with the manual or controlling lever 144.

y A movement of this lever to its right-hand position connects theInotor 90 with the rollers in such a way that the roller 53 is rotatedin the direction indicated by the arrow 91, this being the direction ofrotation during which the music is played. The lever 144 is connected,by means of the rod 145, the bellcrank lever 146, and the rod 147, withthe crank-arm 148 of a rock-shaft 149, this shaft being' provided withthe cranks 150, 151, 152, 153, and 154. A depression of the crank-arm148, due to the movement of the lever 144 to its left-hand position,causes a downward movement of all of the cranks associated with therock-shaft 149, the crank 150 engaging the pin 155 of the valve 133, thecrank 151 engaging and depressing' the pin 138 of the valve 42, thecrank-arm 152 depressing the pin 125, and thus its associated valve 136,and the crank 153 depressing the valve 114 by means of its pin 156. Theclosure of all of these valves prevents the withdrawal of air from theregulating-chambers 34 and 41, and this prevents the operation of thepneumatics and action as has heretofore been described. At the same timethe depressed crank 154 engages acrank 157, connected by way of theshaft 158 with the crank 159. The depression of the crank 157 causes acorresponding upward movement of the crank 159, this crank engaging thelower side of the pin 160 of the valve 100, thereby opening this valveand permitting Vthe free passage of air from the pipe 93 to the mainbellows 19 without the intervention of the control afforded by means ofthe motorregulating bellows shown in Fig. 6.

The strength with which the keys are struck may be controlled to acertain degree by means of the lever 144. A movement of this lever tothe left limits the degree to which the valves in theregulating-chambers maybe opened by their retracting-springs. When thelever 144 is moved to its extreme left-hand position, the valve 100 inthe motor-controlling bellows is opened; but a considerable closure ofall of the valves through which air is exhausted from theregulating-chambers may be effected by means of the rotation of theregulating-shaft 149 before the valve 10() of the motor-controllingbellows is opened-that is, the cranks with which the shaft 149 isprovided depress the pins they engage to a considerable degree before acrank 154 is brought into engagement with the crank 157.

In F ig. 4 the tops of the action-valves are shown, the action-valverack being broken away at the center of the figure to show the primarypneumatics and lthe screws for regulating the speed of the action.

As will be well understood by those skilled in the art, the automaticpiano-player of my invention may be provided with such other equipmentas is common to instruments of vthis class-sucia for instance, asmanually-controlled mechanism for operating the pedals of a piano.Furthermore, the construction and mode of operation of theexpression-bellows may be modified as desired without departing 'fromthe spirit of my invention. In fact, I have herein shown but a preferredembodiment of my invention, many modifications of which may be employedwithout departing from the spirit of my invention. I do not wish,therefore, to limit myself to the precise construction herein set forth;but,

IIaving described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure byLetters Pat-entw 1. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with apluralityof action-bellows, each controlling a key-actuating lever, ofan actionvalve for controlling the actuation of each action-bellows, anda primary pneumatic associated with each action valve, said actionvalvesand the associated primary pneumatics being arranged in horizontally andvertically staggered rows.

2. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a plurality ofaction-bellows, of an action-valve for controlling the actuation of eachaction-bellows, and a primary pneumatic associated with eachaction-valve, said actionvalves being arranged in horizontally andvcrtically staggered rows.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof action-bellows each controlling the actuation of a key of theinstrument to be played, of an action-valve for controlling theactuation of each action-bellows, and a primary pneumatic associatedwith each action-valve, said primary pneumatics being arranged invertically and horizontally staggered rows.

4. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a plurality ofaction-valves, of a plurality of primary pneumatics, one for eachaction-valve, a plurality of primary-pneumatic blocks upon each of whichone of said primary pneumatics is mounted, and a primarypneumatic rackto which said blocks are attachedand from which any one block may beremoved without the removal of any other block.

5. In a device ofthe class described, the combination with a pluralityof action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, aprimary-pneumatic block upon which each primary pneumatic is mounted, aprimarypneumatic rack having a plurality of steps, and a row ofpriinary-pneumatic blocks mounted upon each step of said rack.

6. In a device of the class described, the com- IOO IIC

'bina'tion with a plurality of yaction-valves,of a primary pneumatic forcontrolling each valve, a primary-pneumatic block vupon which eachprimary pneumatic is'mounted, a primarypneumatic rack having a pluralityof steps, and a ro'woi` primar y-pneumatic blocksmounted upon each stepof said rack, the primarypneumatic blocks on one step of the rack beingoffset with -respect to the primary-pneumatic blocks on another step ofthe rack.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for'controlling each valve, aprimary-pneumatic block upon which each primary pneumatic is mounted, aprimarypneumatic -rack having a plurality of steps, fa row of-primarypneumatic blocks mounted upon each step of said rack, theprimary-pneumatic blocks on one step of the rack being offset withrespect to the primary-pneumatic blocks on anotherstep'of the rack,anda-channel leading through said rack to the said primary pneumatics.

A8. Ina device oftheclass described, the-combination with aprimary-pneumatic rack havinga pluralityof steps, of an .action-chamberot' `which said steps form one wall, a plurality of primary-pneumaticblocks upon each of which is mounted a primary pneumatic, a row o'f saidblocks being mounted upon each of the steps of said rack, and aplurality of offset channels 'formed in said rack and each registeringIwith an opening in one-of said primarypneumatic blocks.

9. In an automatic piano-player, lthe'combination with a plurality ot'action-bellows, of a vertical front boa-rd, a stepped rack ladjacent tosaid front board, an action-valve for each action-bellows mounted uponsaid rack, there being channels formed in said rack and said frontboard, one leading from each actionvalve to "the associated actionbellows, a stepped primary-pneumatic rack, and a plurality of primarypneumatics each mounted upon a primary-pneumatic block, a row of blocksbeing secured to each step yof the primary-pneumatic rack and eachhavin-gan opening registering with a channel -in said rack, saidchannels bein gconnected with the trackerboard.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof action-bellows, of a vertical front board, a stepped rack adjacent tosaid front board, and lan actionvalve for each action-bellows mountedupon the rack, there being channels formed in said rack and said frontboard, one leading from each action-valve to the associatedaction-belows.

1l.' In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a tracker-board,of a stepped primary-pneumatic rack, a plurality of primary pneumatics,each mounted upon aprimary-pneumatic block, a row of blocks beingsecuredto each step of the rack and each having an opening registeringwith 'a channel in l said rack, a tube extending 'from the terminal ofeach of said channels t-o an opening in the tracker 'board, and aregulating-screw for each of fsaid primary -pneurmatics` theheads of theregulating-screws being interposed between said tubes.

1'2. Ina device of the class described, the combination with a lsteppedprimary-pneumatic rack, `oi' a plurality of primary pneumatics, eachmounted upon a primary-pneumatic block, la row of said 'blocks beingsecured to each step of the rack, an action-chamber of which said rackforms a wall in'closing said primary pneu matics andtheir blocks, andsuitable channels leading through lthe stepped rack -by means of `whichair may be withdrawn from the action-chamber. f

13. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with fa steppedprimary-pneumatic rack, of a plurality of -primary pneumatics, eachmounted upon a primarypneumatic block, :a lrow voi blocks being securedto each step yof the rack and each Ihaving an `opening registering witha :channel :in said rack, said channels being `connected with thetrackerboard, an action-'chamber .in which said primary pneumatics arelocated, and suitable channels leading through said .stepped rack bymeans of which the air may be withdrawn from said chamber, these latterychannels being offset with respect 'to the fchannels connected with thetracker-board.

14. In ran automatic piano-playenthecombifnation lwith a steppedprimary-pneumatic rack, `of a plurality of primary vrpneumaties, eachmounted `upon a primary-pneumatic block, each primary pneumatic 'and itsblock being identical with all others, .a row fof said blocks beingsecured 'to each step of the rack and each having an opening registeringwith a channel in said rack, said ,channels being connected with thetracker-board, and ran action-chamber inclosing said primary pneumatics,said chamber havinga removable rear wall aiording access to all said.prima-ry pneumatics and their blocks.

l5. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with amain bellows, ofaregulatingchamber, a channel leading from the main bellows to theregulating-chamber, avalve for throttli'ng the opening in said channel,a spring tending 'to maintain said valve in an open condition, levervmechanism to limit the degree to which 'said lspring may open saidvalve, andy additional means to close said valve.

16. In combination with a main bellows, a treble-regulating chamber, abass-regulating chamber., a channel 'leading from .the main bellows toeach of said regulating-chambers, a valve for each of said channels forthrot- -tling the opening therein, :springs tending to maintain saidvalves in an open condition, lever mechanism adapted to limitcorrespond.- ingly the degree to which said springs may IOO IIO

IIS

LII

open said valves, and additional mechanism associated with each valve bymeans of which either may be closed without aeeting the other.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a mainbellows, of a regulating-chamber, a channel leading' from the mainbellows to the regulating-chamber, a valve for throttling the opening insaid channel, a spring tending' to maintain said valve in an opencondition, means to limit the degree to which said spring may open saidvalve, additional mechanism to close said valve, a second passage-wayleading from said main bellows ,to said regulating-chamber, andexpression-regulating mechanism included in said second passage-way.

18. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with a main bellows,of a treble-reg'- ulating chamber, a bass-regulating chamber, a channelleading' from each regulating-chainber to the main bellows, a valve foreach of said channels vfor throttling the opening therein, a spring'tendingto maintain each valve in an open condition.I a treble-expressionbellows and abass-eXpression bellows, adjustable distending springmechanism associated with each expression-bellows, a channel leadingfrom each expression-bellows tothe main bellows, a channel leading fromthe treble-regulating chamber to the treble-expression bellows, achannel leading from the bass-regulating chamber to the bass-expressionbellows, a valve associated with each channel leading from anexpression-bellows to a regulating'- ehamber, said valve serving' toregulate the openings in their associated channels, means 'forcorrespondingly regulating all of said valves, means 'for independentlycontrolling the valve associated with the channel leading from thetreble-regulating chamber to the main bellows, and means forindependently controlling the valve associated with the channel leading'from thebass-regulating chamber to the main bellows.

19. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with afoundation-board, of a main bellows mounted thereon, a treble-regulatingchamber and a bass regulating' chamber mounted on said'foumlation-board, a channel leading from each of saidregulating-chambers through the foundation-boardv to said main bellows,mechanism for throttling the opening' in each of said channels, a secondpassage-way leading from each of said regulating-chambers to said mainbellows, and ex- .pression-regulating' means included in each of saidsecond passage-ways.

20. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means fordriving' and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows, anaction-chamber, there beingsuitable channels leading' from saidaction-chamber to said main bellows, valves for closing said channels, amotor-regulating bellows having a channel leading to said main bellows,said channel having' two openings into said motorregulating bellows, anautomatic regulatingvalve for one opening', and a manually-controlledvalve for the other opening, and mechanism for simultaneously closingall of the iirst said valves and opening the manuallycontrolled valve.

21. In an automatic iiiano-player, the combination with motor means fordriving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows,action-chambers, main channels leading' from said main bellows, onedirectly to each action-chamber, valves for closing said main channels,a motor-regulating bellows having a channel leading to said mainbellows, said channels having' two openings into said motorregulatingbellows, an automatic regulatingvalve for one opening and amanually-operative valve Jfor the other opening, means for independentlyclosing any one of the main-channel valves, an actuating-lever, andmechanism associated with said lever for simultaneously closing all ofthe main-channel valves and at the same time opening the manually--controlled valve for one of the openings to said motor-regulatingbellows.

Q2. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means fordriving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a 'foundationboard,amain bellows mounted en said foundation-board, amotor-regulatingbellows mounted on said foundation-board,therebeingachannel having an opening into said main bellows and two openingsinto said motor-regulating bellows, a normally closed valve for one ofsaid openings into the motor-regulating bellows, and a valve for theother opening carried by the backboard of the bellows, adjustable springmechanism tending' to maintain the motor-regulating bellows in an opencondition, action-chambers, main channels leading' `from said mainbellows one to each actionchamber, valves for closing said mainchannels, means for independently closing any one of said main-channelvalves, and mechanism for simultaneous] closing all of the valves insaid channels at the same time opening the normally closed valveassociated with the seeond opening to said reg'ulating-bellows.

Q3. In an automatic piano-player, the combination with motor means for driving and rewinding a suitable note-sheet, of a main bellows, apassage-way connecting the main bellows with said motor means, aregulating-bellows for automatically throttling the opening through saidpassage-way, and n'ianually-controlled means for throwing saidregulatingbellows out of commission, thereby permitting the free passageof air from said motor means to said motor-bellows.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pluralityof action-valves, of a primary pneumatic for controlling each valve, aprimary-pneumatic block upon which IOO IIO

each primary pneumatic is mounted, a primary-pneumatic rack havlng a'plurality of steps, a row of primary-pneumatic blocks mounted side byside upon each step of saidraclr, the primary-pneumatic'blocks on onestep of the rack being offset with respect to the pneumatic blocksvonanother step of the mary is mounted, said blocks being grouped inhorizontal rows disposed above and behind each other whereby each blockmay be independently removed; 26. In a device of the class described, thcombination with a plurality of action-valves grouped in horizontal rowsdisposed above and behind each other, of a primary pneumatic forcontrolling each valve, a primary-L pneumatic block for each primarypneumatic, said blocks being also grouped in horizontal rows disposedabove and behindeach other whereby corresponding valves and primarypneumatics are disposed one below another.

27. In a device of the class described, the combination with a mainbellows, of` a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the mainbellows to the regulating-chamber, a

valve for controlling the passage of air throughY saidl main channel, anauxiliary passage-way from vsaidV main bellows to the regulatingchamber,an expression-bellows interposed in said auxiliary passage-way, avalve-opening in the base of said expression-bellows, a valve secured tothe movable wall of said bellows tending upon collapse of bellows tothrottle said opening whereby to throttle the passage of air throughsaid bellows, a spring 117 se- -cured to the rear wall of the bellowsand to the movable wall thereof for resisting said throttling action,and a screw 119 for adjusting the resisting strength of said spring.

28. In a device of the class described, the combination withva mainbellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the mainbellows to the regulating-chamber, a normally open valve in said mainlchannel, an auxiliary passage-wayleading from said main bellows to saidregulating-chamber, a normally open valve-at the outlet of saidauxiliary passage-way into said regulating-chamber, anexpression-bellows interposed in said auxiliary passage-way, means uponpassage of air through said expression-bellows tending to throttle thepassage of air therethrough, adjustable means for resisting saidthrottling action, means for independently closing the valve in saidmain channel whereby all the air iary channel.

29. In a device of the class described, the

combinationwith treble and bass-regulating chambers, of amain bellowsfor exhaustingair from said regulating-chambers, mainpassage-wayslleading from said main bellows to each of saldregulatlng-chambers, normally openvalves at the outlets of said mainlchannels, an auxiliary passage-way from said mainbellows to each of saidregulating-chambers, normally open valves at the outletsof saidpression-bellows tending to throttle the pas- =sage of air therethrough,means associated with each Vexpressionbellows for lessening saidthrottling action and for controlling the idegree of throttling, meansfor independently 1closing either of the main channels vwhereby all theair passes through the expressionbellows, and means forsimultaneously'closing Iall the valves in the main channel and thevalves at the outlets of the auxiliary passageways.-

30. In a device of the class described, the combination with a mainbellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from saidbellows to said'regulating-chamber, a normally open valve in saidchannel, a motor as- .sociated with' said device, a motor-controllingbellows connectedwith said motor and with Asaid main bellows, a normallyclosed valve in ysaid motor-controlling bellows, and means forsimultaneously closing the valves in said main channel and opening saidvalve in the motorcontrolling bellows.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with a mainbellows, of a regulating-chamber, a main channel leading from the mainbellows. to the regulating-chamber,

ya normally open valve for controlling the passage of air through saidmain channel, a motor associated with said device, a motor-controllingbellows connected with said motor, a passage-way connecting saidmotor-controlling bellows with saidmain bellows, said passage-way havingtwo outlets into said motorcontrolling bellows, a normally closed valveover one of said outlets, means upon passageofair through saidmotor-bellows tending to throttle the other opening of said passage-way,means for preventing complete closure of said. other opening,additional-adjustable means for controlling the degree of throttling andmeans for closing the valve in said main channel and for opening thenormally closed valve in the motor-controlling bellows whereby air maypass unimpeded from said motor .to said main actuating-bellows.

32. In a device of the class described, the

lffrom said regulating-chamber passes through the expression-bellows,and means for simulytaneously closing said valve-in the main chan- 'neland said valve at the outlet of the auxil- IIO I ISL combination with adriving-motor, of a main actuating-bellows, a motor-controlling bellowsconnected with said motor, a channel connecting said controllingbellowswith said main bellows, said channel having two outlets into saidcontrolling' bellows, a normally closed valve over one of said openings,a second valve tending upon collapse of said controlling-bellows toclose the second opening', spring' means 103 connected with the movablepart of said controlling-bellows for controlling' the deg'ree ofthrottling, and means for opening said normally closed valve wherebyunimpeded passage of air is permitted from said motor and through saidcontrolling-bellows to the main bellows to cause increased speed of themotor.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination with a mainbellows, of a treble and a bass regulating chamber, main passagewaysconnecting said main bellows with said regulating-chambers, valves forsaid passageways normally held open by spring mechanism, an auxiliarypassage-way from said main bellows to each regulating-chainber, a Valveat the outlet of each auxiliary passage-way into the correspondingregulating-chamber, spring means tending normally to hold said valves inopen condition, an expression-bellows interposed in each auxiliarypassage-way, a motor associated with said device, a motor-controllingbellows connected with said motor and with said main bellows, a normallyclosed valve in said motor-controlling bellows, an actuating armextending' from each of said valves, an independent crank-arm mechanismconnected with each valve controlling the main channels connecting theregulating-chambers with the main bellows whereby said passageways maybe independently controlled, and a common crank-arm mechanism for allsaid valves, actuation of said crank-arm causing closure of the valvescontrolling the passage of air into said regulating-chambers and causingopening of the valve in the motor-controlling bellows.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of May, A.D. 1904.

AXEL F. LARSON. Vitnesses:

LYNN A. VILLIAMs, JOHN STAI-in.

